Oklahoma canoe and kayaking events, information and contacts. Find Oklahoma float trip outfitters, learn about local river conditions and find out about great kayak put-ins, paddler groups and campgrounds in and around Oklahoma and the Ozarks.

Friday, September 05, 2008

The End of The Illinois River User Fee Wristband

This summer will be the last year that the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission will charge floaters a user fee! Since 1984, floaters have been required to pay user fees to float the river and its tributaries. Personally, I didn't mind paying the buck, but wearing the wristband was an annoyance I will happily do without.

The change came about when Senator Jim Wilson of Tahlequah, successfully sought passage of Senate Bill 1381. Provisions of Senate Bill 1381 terminate the $1.00 User Fee charged to floaters, effective on January 1, 2009. Kudos to Senator Wilson!

Another great bit of info I picked up from the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission website is this:

Wearing life jackets saves lives. The common factor among all the drownings this year was that none of the victims were wearing life jackets. -RIVER CURRENTS (Volume 5 Issue 2), 8/2/2008 PDF